CBDT takes initiatives for reducing litigation with taxpayers

New Delhi, Jan 15 (ANI): Reducing litigation with taxpayers has been a key focus area of the Income Tax Department. Several initiatives have been taken by the Central Board of Direct Taxes in the last three months up to December 2015 to significantly reduce disputes and provide relief to taxpayers facing long standing litigation.

The significant steps taken by the CBDT include the issue of a circular revising the monetary limits for filing of appeals by the department with the objective of reducing litigation as a part of its initiatives to reduce grievances of the taxpayers.

The CBDT has also directed Principal Chief Commissioners to constitute a collegiums of Chief Commissioners of Income Tax to consider withdrawal of appeals filed by the department in cases involving tax effect above the revised monetary limit from the High Courts in cases where, no question of law is involved, the issue is considered settled by the Department, or the appeal is no longer relevant in view of subsequent amendment.

Besides this, the CBDT has issued a number of Circulars for withdrawing or not pressing of appeals on settled issues relating to the subjects listed below: